Andy Umberger

Review: Vibrant New Production of COME FROM AWAY Debuts at La Mirada
by Michael Quintos - Sep 26, 2025

Still quite a rousing crowd-pleaser—offering empathy and kindness as its main endearing ingredient— La Mirada Theatre's brand new, 'non-replica' production of the Tony-winning musical COME FROM AWAY is a superb, rather enjoyable new Broadway-caliber production that is as every bit as appealing as the characters that populate it. Energetically directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds, the show exudes a joy and pleasantness that few musicals are able to achieve with such ease. Funny, touching, celebratory, appropriately honorable, and musically endearing, COME FROM AWAY remains an awe-inspiring theatrical testament to compassion, and will forever remind us that even in the shadow of horrific, unbelievable devastation, humanity's capacity for kindness and generosity can—and should—take center stage.

Photos: La Mirada Theatre & McCoy Rigby Entertainment's COME FROM AWAY
by Gillian Blum - Sep 20, 2025

Check out production photos of La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment's COME FROM AWAY, running through October 12, 2025.

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards; BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Nov 20, 2023

The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

First Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards; House of Bards Theatre Company Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Nov 13, 2023

The first wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 13th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts to Present Staged Reading of Joe DiPietro's MISS FOXHOLE 1975
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 27, 2023

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS has announced a very special event: the world premiere staged reading of a new musical MISS FOXHOLE 1975 -- book by the Tony Award-winning writer of Memphis, Joe DiPietro, music and lyrics by Ryan O'Connell & Val Vigoda, and directed by Kari Hayter. 

Review: Excellent Performances Empower A FEW GOOD MEN at La Mirada
by Michael Quintos - Nov 4, 2022

Undeniably compelling but also, at times, comfortably predictable, Aaron Sorkin's A FEW GOOD MEN is, for all intents and purposes, really a showcase for enthralling live acting performances. The McCoy Rigby Entertainment production continues at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through November 20, 2022.

Video: First Look at A FEW GOOD MEN at La Mirada
by Stephi Wild - Oct 31, 2022

The rarely produced and widely acclaimed military masterpiece A FEW GOOD MEN, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Casey Stangl, is now playing at La Mirada. Check out video footage here!

Photos: First Look at La Mirada Theatre's A FEW GOOD MEN
by Blair Ingenthron - Oct 30, 2022

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment have released production photos for the second show of their 2022-2023 season, the rarely produced and widely acclaimed military masterpiece A FEW GOOD MEN, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Casey Stangl. Check out the photos here.

Doug Harris, Andy Umberger & More to Star in A FEW GOOD MEN at La Mirada Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2022

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment have announced the cast for the second show of their 2022-2023 season, the rarely produced and widely acclaimed military masterpiece A FEW GOOD MEN, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Casey Stangl.

Photo Coverage: DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Takes Its Opening Night Bows At La Mirada Theatre
by Lily Lim - Jun 6, 2019

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the fifth and final show of its season, Laurie Veldheer as 'Belle' and Todd Adamson as 'The Beast' starring in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Woolverton, musical direction by Darryl Archibald, choreography by Robbie Roby and direction by Michael Heitzman. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will preview on Friday, May 31, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, June 1 at 8 pm) and run through Sunday, June 23, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

BWW Review: 1776 Offers an Inside Look at the Imperfect Men Who First Strived For a More Perfect Union
by Shari Barrett - Feb 1, 2019

Having seen the musical HAMILTON when it was in Los Angeles, like many others I learned more important details about the founding fathers while watching it than I felt I had ever learned in school. Lin-Manuel Miranda who created that uber-successful musical in 2015, has said that 1776 THE MUSICAL, written in 1969, during another time of political and social unrest in the United States, has 'one of the best books-if not the best-ever written for musical theatre.' And now I can say I certainly agree with him. In fact, The perfect way to prove the arts can teach valuable history lessons to its audiences is by encouraging everyone to see 1776 THE MUSICAL, presented by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and impeccably directed & staged by Glenn Casale through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts or at The Soraya at CSUN from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10.

BWW Review: 1776 at La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts
by Cary Ginell - Jan 31, 2019

A brilliant cast and production highlights McCoy Rigby Entertainment's '1776,' with bravura performances from Andy Umberger (John Adams), Peter Van Norden (Benjamin Franklin) and John Barbour (Edward Rutledge).

1776 The Musical Comes To The Soraya Next Month
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2019

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya), February 8 through 10. 1776 THE MUSICAL, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1969) and has music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. It is directed by Glenn Casale with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo.

Review Roundup: Critics Sound Off On 1776 THE MUSICAL at La Mirada
by Alan Henry - Jan 17, 2019

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Photo Coverage: Curtain Call And Press Night Celebration of 1776 THE MUSICAL At La Mirada
by Lily Lim - Jan 17, 2019

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) are thrilled to present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.  

Photo Flash: First Look at 1776 THE MUSICAL at La Mirada
by Stephi Wild - Jan 12, 2019

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT (celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary at the theatre) present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

BWW Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Rubicon Theatre Company
by Cary Ginell - Dec 21, 2018

The Rubicon Theatre Company brings back a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, 'South Pacific,' in a uniquely intimate two-piano version, featuring stellar performances and a ravishing set design. This one will be talked about for years to come.

James Barbour & More Will Lead McCoy Rigby's 1776 At La Mirada
by Alan Henry - Dec 17, 2018

LaMirada and McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL, with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and directed & staged by Glenn Casale. 1776 THE MUSICAL will begin previews on Friday, January 11, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, January 12 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theater Company's SOUTH PACIFIC
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2018

This Thursday, December 7 marks the anniversary of the air raid on Pearl Harbor in which Japanese planes attacked a United States Naval Air Base in the Territory of Hawaii in the Pacific. Thousands of Americans lost their lives or were injured, and more than 300 ships were destroyed. The event brought citizens together in support of U.S. participation in the war. President Roosevelt addressed the nation, calling the event, 'a day that will live in infamy.'

BWW Review: Willimon's FARRAGUT NORTH Contains Flashes of Confrontational Brilliance
by Gil Kaan - May 1, 2017

With House of Cards and Ides of March (based on this play) on playwright Beau Willimon's resume, you might come to see his FARRAGUT NORTH with rather high expectations. Jack Tynan's confession and termination scenes (with Geoffrey Lower as Paul, Stephen's boss) really pop and sizzle, with their tension and their clashing confrontation rating as the drama's highlights.